Announcing: the 8th Annual Lenten Retreat for the Diocese of NY and DC, hosted by St. Stephen the Protomartyr Antiochian Orthodox Church Women’s Group- www.ststephenchurch.net “Overcoming Worrying and Anxiety”, with Guest Speaker His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Brooklyn, Diocese of New York and Washington D.C. and Assistant to the Metropolitan The Retreat will be followed by Great Vespers. This event is free and open to all adults and teens. Please RSVP by 3/10/2015. For more information: http://www.antiochian.org/8th-annual-lenten-retreat-march-21-2015

The Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians (EFGOCM) is sponsoring a Church Music Institute (CMI) . CMI workshops are held throughout the United States to encourage church musicians to grow, develop, and fine tune their instrument, the voice, and their mind. This year the CMI has two purposes: to learn the meaning behind what we sing, and to use the voice as a proper instrument. The entire day will be dovetailed between theology and the actual singing of hymns, giving us a better understanding of what we sing during the Divine Liturgy and other important services, especially during the Lenten period. We welcome all singers or just anyone who would like to take this journey and learn about the faith through our beautiful hymns. CLICK HERE FOR FLYER/REGISTRATION FORM For more information: http://newjersey.churchmusic.goarch.org/news_and_events/church-music-institute.html

Join the Historical and Educational Center for its annual half-day Family History Group workshop. Join expert speakers Aleksandra Kacprzak and Michael Buryk on an exploration of Ukrainian-American history for genealogists and the history and archival resources for ethnic Ukrainians in Poland. Space is limited, so register early! For more information: https://www.ukrhec.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=18

The 8th Annual Symposium of Orthodox Spirituality of our Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas will take place at the Laval University, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, Pavillon Alphonse Desjardins, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Symposium will be organized in collaboration with the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies and the Ecumenical Center of Montreal. This year the Symposium will have the theme: “Gospel, Christian Faith and Institutions - past, present, future”. For more information: http://symposiumroaa.wix.com/index

St. Barbara Ladies Philoptochos Society presents: “Forgiveness, Transforming Wounds into Wisdom”. Event Speaker: Cynthia Kostas: Masters of Theological Studies, Holy Cross School of Theology. Lecturer in Orthodox and denominational Churches throughout the United States. Leads the non-profit Photophoros, a Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver. For more information: http://ntom.org/news/march-21-womens-lenten-retreat/

The Annual Diocesan Lenten Teen Retreat for students in grades 7-12 will take place Saint Basil Academy in Garrison NY. The Academy has beautiful grounds, dormitory style rooms, a lovely chapel, and an indoor basketball court. Under the guidance and direction of Bishop Michael, participants will focus on “The Mystery of Prayer” centered around learning and discussing various ways prayer is used both within the life of the church and within personal life. Participants will also enjoy fellowship, education, and spiritual enrichment with one another. There is no charge to participate in this three-day retreat. Adult participants are encouraged to attend and serve as chaperones. read more > REGISTRATION > For more information: http://nynjoca.org/

During the period of Lent preceding Pascha, or Easter, Ukrainians write pysanky, or decorate eggs, using ancient symbols to imbue the egg with magical powers and ward away evil spirits. Join us at the Center to continue this age-old tradition as we get ready to welcome spring. The workshop is open to adults and children 12 and older. Materials are included in registration fee, but you will need to bring 3 or 4 eggs (raw or blown), paper towels, and a #2 pencil.

The Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of Metropolitan Detroit (COCC) will hold its fourth in its series of Vespers services on the five Sundays of Orthodox Great Lent. The service will be conducted by members of the Clergy Brotherhood of St. John Chrysostom of Metropolitan Detroit. The Orthodox Choir of Metropolitan Detroit will sing the responses during the service. The homilist will be the Rev. Stratton Dorozenski, pastor of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Troy. The remaining service in the series will be held March 29, Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt, at the Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church, 31500 Ryan Road, Warren. Members of the public are invited to attend the services.

In celebration of the Annuciation feastday our Saint Mark family is planning an overnight lenten pilgrimage to the Ocala monastery. Time is running out, so make sure to RSVP asap. For more information: www.saintmarkboca.net/

Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America invites you to their 18th Annual Women’s Lenten Retreat. Theme: “Opening the Door of our Heart to the Theotokos: Meeting her and Letting her into our Lives” Speaker: Protinica Victoria Trbuhovich For more information: http://westsrbdio.org/images/Christian_Education/KSS_Lenten_Retreat_Flyer__Registration_Form.pdf

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Theme: Be Yourself For all Jr. & Sr. GOYAns in Grades 7 – 12. Registration Forms available at www.saintdemetrios.com For more information: https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/e2b413a8001/5e825bec-26cc-4bfd-9e19-8f5e43e62533.pdf

Retreat Speaker: V. Rev. John Finley Theme: “Delight Thou in the Robe of my Soul: Entering into Holy Week” Flyer, Schedule and Scholarship Form For more information: http://www.antiochianladiocese.org/news_150113_3.html

Theme: “The Way to Union with Christ Through Watchfulness and Prayer” Speaker: Fr. Damascene (St. Herman of Alaska Monastery, Platina, CA) OPEN RETREAT For more information: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/77e3a74917a6de51c5657fbba/files/retreats_flyer.pdf

“Let My Prayer Arise” Lenten Retreat. The Retreat will focus on prayer. Learn more about our faith! Get rejuvenated during Great Lent! Meet fellow Orthodox Christians. Open to Adults and Adolescents. Speakers include:Fr. Bazyl Zawierucha, and Fr. Anthony Perkins For more information: http://www.uol.orthodoxws.com/news.html

Theme: “Vice vs. Virtue” Speaker: Fr. William George For more information: http://www.acrod.org/assets/files/PDFS/Events/2015%20Lenten%20Retreats/2015%20EASTERN%20LENTEN%20RETREAT-FINAL%20VERSION.pdf or http://www.acrod.org/assets/files/PDFS/Events/2015%20Lenten%20Retreats/LentenREtreatPosterLetter-Final-2.pdf

Theme: “Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue After Vatican II: Examining the Issues” Speakers: Monsignor Paul McPartlan (School of Theology and Religious Studies, The Catholic University of America) & Deacon Paul Gavrilyuk (Aquinas Professor of Philosophy and Theology, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN) One of the most significant teachings promulgated by the council fathers was Unitatis Redintegratio, the Decree on Ecumenism. This teaching honored the venerable traditions of the Eastern Churches and expressed hope for the reunion of East and West. The recent meeting of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew has reinvigorated hope for unity between the churches. For more information: http://bellarmine.lmu.edu/ecumenical/futureevents/orthodox-catholicdialogueaftervaticanii/

Theme: “Let my prayer arise”. Focusing on prayer. Sponsored by: The Ukrainian Orthodox League. Open to Adults and Adolescents. Speakers include: Fr. Bazyl Zawierucha, Fr. Anthony Perkins, Retreat is one full day including all meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information: http://uocofusa.org/files/PDF%20files_news/2015/2015-UOL-Lenten-Retreat-Bethlehem.pdf

Theme: “Hymn of Cassiane: New Life in Christ Through Repentance” Speaker: Fr. J. Sergius Halvorsen, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor of Homelitics, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary) For more information: http://www.stgeorgecathedral.org/lectureseries.html

The Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of Metropolitan Detroit (COCC) will hold the fifth and final service in its series of Vespers services on the five Sundays of Orthodox Great Lent, Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt. The service will be conducted by members of the Clergy Brotherhood of St. John Chrysostom of Metropolitan Detroit. The Orthodox Choir of Metropolitan Detroit will sing the responses during the service. The homilist will be the Very Rev. John Fenton, Holy Incarnation Antiochian Orthodox Church, Lincoln Park. Members of the public are invited to attend the service. For further information, http://www.coccdetroit.com.